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Jesse Coburn

Jesse Coburn was an investigative reporter at Streetsblog from 2021 to 2024. His series on the black market for temporary license plates led to enacted or proposed laws in three states and won the George Polk Award. The series was also a finalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting. His work has also received awards from IRE, the Overseas Press Club Foundation, the Sidney Hillman Foundation, the Deadline Club, the Sigma Awards, and the Silurians Press Club. Coburn now works at ProPublica.

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N.J. Legislator Proposes New Charges for Selling, Driving With Illegal Temporary License Plates

"For those that want to misuse and abuse our laws, the penalties should be much higher, and the potential for criminal penalties should be a disincentive as well," a Jersey Assembly member said.

May 10, 2023

N.J. Lawmaker Proposes Eliminating Paper Temporary License Plates to Fight Fraud

May 4, 2023

Streetsblog USA Ghost Tags

Georgia: Our Temp Tags ‘Wreaking Havoc’ in NYC Because of Lax Rules, Few Investigators

April 19, 2023

N.J. and Georgia Lawmakers Pledge Action on Temp Tag Fraud Detailed In Streetsblog Investigation

April 18, 2023

Council Member Proposes New Fines for Temp Tag Fraud Following Streetsblog Investigation

April 11, 2023

Streetsblog Investigates

GHOST TAGS: Inside NYC’s Black Market for Temporary License Plates // Part 3: The Buyers

April 5, 2023

Streetsblog Investigates

GHOST TAGS: Inside NYC’s Black Market for Temporary License Plates // Part 2: The Landlords

April 4, 2023

GHOST TAGS: Inside NYC’s Black Market for Temporary License Plates

Read all three parts of Jesse Coburn's award-winning investigation.

April 3, 2023

Streetsblog Investigates

GHOST TAGS: Inside NYC’s Black Market for Temporary License Plates // Part 1: The Dealers

April 3, 2023

DOT Expects to Miss Targets for New Bus Lanes, Sources Say

December 12, 2022